Clothing allowance - new job

WolfSong2000

Hey guys,

I am starting a weekend job at a rather upmarket clothes store next weekend...was informed today that I get a clothing allowance, as you *have* to wear this company's clothes when working (sort of like a uniform). Allowance should be somewhere between £100-£200 which is great as the average price of each piece of clothing is around £50-£70.

The issue I have is that the allowance is apparently only to subsidise these necessary clothing purchases - I still have to pay 25% of the cost. Now, whilst I love the clothes, even at just 25% they're expensive when you're working for minimum wage as I will be, for a few hours a week (8-10 hours, spread over saturday and sunday).

I was just wondering if there were any regulations/laws which state that if a "uniform" is required - in this case wearing the company's clothes - whether an employee has to pay, even in part, for this?

monty-doggy

I've worked for a company where I had to do this, some of the part time staff couldn't afford it and so they were allowed to wear black trousers and a black or white top. Perhaps ask your line manager if this is possible?

AP007

OP did they tell you this at interview?

Upmarket is a bit cheap at £50-£70 imo

bluenoseam

It's common knowledge that certain fashion chains stipulate that uniform must be current season stock, so it's probably assumed that you'd know that. (as someone with zero fashion sense even I know that) Given the fact some of the UK's best known retailers do this I'd suggest it's legal & above board.

minimoneysaver

A piece of clothing at £50 will cost you £12.50 and an item at £70 will cost you just £17.50. I think that is very fair!

If you pick your items very carefully and ensure that you have a good capsule wardrobe, it'll last you a long while, assuming this company produces good quality clothing. I'd be going for a nice fitted pair of black trousers and a couple of shirts. These will then work for interview clothes for the future.

Good luck in your new job!

I'd love to know what shop this is ;-)

ValHaller

WolfSong2000 wrote: »

The issue I have is that the allowance is apparently only to subsidise these necessary clothing purchases - I still have to pay 25% of the cost. Now, whilst I love the clothes, even at just 25% they're expensive when you're working for minimum wage as I will be, for a few hours a week (8-10 hours, spread over saturday and sunday).

I think you have to look at it as the clothing subsidy boosting your take from the job rather than the amount you pay coming off your take. You can probably make your first wardrobe for the job off your first weekend.

If the clothing perk is of no interest to you, it is the wrong job.

Tenyearstogo

£50 isn't upmarket. It's high street.

£30 will buy you an outfit. That's 5 hours work.

Two days a week will only need two outfits maximum.

You'll be able to do it with your first wage.

ohreally

Tenyearstogo wrote: »

£

£30 will buy you an outfit. That's 5 hours work.

Two days a week will only need two outfits maximum.

You'll be able to do it with your first wage.

That outfit, has become a work uniform ath this point, with the employer emposing their will on the matter.

Perhaps this has overtures of the old truck acts.

Annisele

I can't find any legislation or guidance about this. (I'm not saying it doesn't exist - I'm just saying I can't find it).

Certainly the employer wouldn't be able to deduct the cost of a uniform from your wages if that took you below NMW. But it isn't actually deducting money from your wages, and technically it isn't making you spend money in its store. It's making you wear the items, not buy them - if you could magically find the same items in a charity shop, that would presumably be OK. I agree with ohreally that this has shades of the Truck Acts.

The fact that lots of other employers do this doesn't make it legal (see widespread use of unpaid interns that look very much like 'workers' but don't get NMW). It might just be that nobody has made a big fuss about it yet.

Practically OP, do you need the job? If yes, I reluctantly suggest that you pay the money and bite your tongue - regardless of the law. If you make waves, you'll almost certainly get fired. Unless the employer is an absolute idiot you'll get fired for a reason that gives you no comeback.

sweetilemon

I know this is common practice in clothes shops so would be surprised if its illegal. If possible I would suggest purchasing 'classic' styles that are likely to do more than one season. It might seem a lot of outlay now but I bet you'll miss the perk if you ever leave the job. Check your contact first but if it's really a hassle you may be allowed to sell last seasons clothes on flea bay after you've had use.

monty-doggy

I'm betting its NEXT I worked there years ago and it was 75% discount. I always got really nice suits and changed them when they were no longer current season. When I left there I sold them all on ebay as I no longer needed so many suits and I got more than double what I paid for them!